It’s been over a decade since the LOX came out with those shiny-suit jingles off their debut Money, Power, Respect. Jadakiss, the group’s undeniable marquee man, was the first to spawn a solo career pronouncing himself “Top 5 Dead or Alive.” But after releasing two very well-received offerings, many remained somewhat skeptical about Jason Phillip’s position in the game and worthiness to dominate altogether. Regardless of his unquestionable mic skills and ability to string together a killer 16, he has been largely incapable of compiling a well-rounded, cohesive solo project.

But they say the third time’s the charm. The stars finally aligned perfectly for Jadakiss to prove himself once and for all, and dispel all naysayers on what is easily one of the most anticipated albums of 2009. With Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam backing it, all Jada had to do was properly execute his plan and realize his vision. However this is hard to do when you lack a plan of execution altogether. One of the main pitfalls of The Last Kiss is the lack of conceptual fluency. It is essentially an ‘album about nothing’ in particular. When it begins, Buckwild serves Jada a triumphant intro in “Pain and Torture” and Jada spits up a decent set of verses, warming the listener up for what should be an epic album. This delusion dies quick. After “Can’t Stop Me,” Jada’s alleged “hit single,” OJ Da Juiceman and Swizz Beatz join forces on “Who’s Real” to become the musical equivalent of getting stabbed in your funny bone. It’s the the first of a very long list of pointless collaborations.

Jada’s verses fit into two templates: he’s either reminiscing about drug-dealing, while dropping pseudo-inspirational metaphors and glorifying himself (with extra braggadocio), or he’s dropping one of his signature R&B guest verses. This would not be a problem at all, were it done with nearly half the efficiency and ease of execution that Kiss is capable of. A lot of the verses are either forced, frail, easily forgettable or a combination of all three.

What isn’t forgettable, however, is how many features are on this album. Aside from the aforementioned “Pain and Torture,” only one other song Kiss rocks for dolo is the self-reflecting “Things I’ve Been Through.” This also just so happens to be amongst the select few keepers on the album, proving he might have been better off alone. Because quite frankly, most of the assists don’t amount to any goals scored. The tired “black-girl-lost” themed “Smoking Gun” and Avery Storm’s “I Tried” are instant skippers, as are the bulk of material aimed at the ladies. The greatest disappointment however, may just be what should’ve been the highlight of the album. Jada and Styles are renowned for their effortless back and forth bar exchanges that produce a plethora of quotable punchlines without fail. This time around, no quotables, just fail as they manage to run in place on “One More Step.”

It’s not a total washout though. “What If,” which features a razor sharp Nasir Jones, is basically “Why 2K9″ but still worth a listen. Lil’ Wayne drops some heat on “Death Wish” and “Something Else,” co-starring Young Jeezy, is possibly the peak of the album, injecting ignorantly laced adrenaline shots into your brain as only Jeezy and Jada know how. Ghostface leaves his signature all over “Cartel Gathering,” also featuring Raekwon, and inspires one of very few gems from Jada — “My Clientele is Supreme and it’s proven/that I’m only Built For The Link if it’s Cuban/I’m a pioneer, I’m not a vet/The Last Kiss is a French one, it’s not a peck…”

It’s definitely not a peck. It also lacks the passion and tenacity to be considered a French one. Jada sticks to failed formulas and recipes, and churns out a cookie-cutter LP with brand name production. The abundance of guest appearances do nothing more than provide momentary distractions for what clearly is lacking in Kiss to get the job done on his own.

“musical equivalent of getting stabbed in your funny bone” = good times had over here.

I didnt dig this album musch either, but kiss wasn’t ever a favorite of mine unless he is just a feature. I cant take more than one verse from him on any track. But I also can’t deny he has skills just never the ability to get it right.

04.07.09 at 12:49 pm

Deen

Something else was wack as fuck. Then they had the nerve to reheat warm garbage by remixing it.

If he pruned it down to 14 songs and transferred some of his verses to replace guests on half of those, then we’d be looking at a contender. 3 cigs does the trick. Great review.

04.07.09 at 12:50 pm

TC

Then they had the nerve to reheat warm garbage by remixing it.

^^^

LMAO

04.07.09 at 12:51 pm

Since_1979

Although I dig Jada, I always though he was way overrated. You can’t be top 5 if you can’t put an album together! He kills mixtapes, but when it comes album time its always a huge let…..
Sidenote: I don’t owe either Kiss album….I do however own “The Champ Is Here”

04.07.09 at 12:53 pm

Gotty™

His Lox brethren > Jada

Never understood the fascination. Maybe I never will.

04.07.09 at 12:56 pm

Logikal Accord

This dude will NEVER put together a 3/5 album. This is a 1.5, 2 at best. Dude can go on anybody else’s track and murder it but can never make a good album.

04.07.09 at 12:59 pm

MZ

Jada was the most marketable, but Sheek was the top one when they came out & Styles has that honor now. He’s just been lyrically consistent… except for his albums.

04.07.09 at 1:00 pm

Since_1979

@Gotty
Co-sign….Styles P in particular.

04.07.09 at 1:01 pm

complexone

Leonardo! or is he Raphael?

Starts off good. After Swizzy *Ahhhhhaaa comes in i lost interest

04.07.09 at 1:01 pm

Contra™

style p ftw.

04.07.09 at 1:03 pm

Cell Thuropy

Some artist have to learn their lanes, I’ve been a LOX fan since day one and that 1996-2000 was the pinnacle of their music. I hate the fact that they dont understand that David ,Jason and Shawn, are better served as one dish instead of their ‘dollar menu’ pick-and-choose method. Their differences work in their favor. You get the creative, hard bar for bar Jada, wild off the wall Sheek, and arguably the most hardest rapper spitting Styles Panero… Apart, they just keep deminshing their legacy…

And that joint with OJ has gotten the most spins off the album on the iPod lol.

He shoulda squeezed “Kiss My Ass” & “Who Run This” on there and trashed that weedcarrier remix.

04.07.09 at 1:06 pm

Deen

Listening to this shit was Euphoria followed by the biggest let down.

How hard is it to make a great album? I’m not asking for a classic, I just mean a good, solid album. We the fans get to anoint it as a classic as time passes. What’s the point in putting out an album that YOU the artist knows sucks? Kiss can’t look in the mirror and say that this was the best he could do. It can’t possibly be that the label forced him into ALL the shitty collabs? Even OJ Da Whatever? Nah.

I’m thinking of dropping out and becoming an executive producer. Who’s with me?

04.07.09 at 1:07 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a. AG Da Gooseman

Styles has that honor now. He’s just been lyrically consistent… except for his albums.
============================
Which is why I gotta give it to Kiss.

04.07.09 at 1:08 pm

David D.

“Who’s Real” sounds like a LIl’ Mama track

04.07.09 at 1:10 pm

OED aka Shoe T'quille

*walks in room*

*reads comments*

*shakes head*

*looks around*

*farts*

*exits*

————————–

Good review though, in essence…

disagreements:
guest heavy, and yes, some collabos work while some just do not…but when has the # of guests had a quantitative cut off?

the album is w/o an overall theme, but how many better rated lp’s (Bow Wow, Flo-Rida?) have that.

Seems like homeboy’s being penalized for being good, but not dropping a Reasonable Doubt or sumn…

Skippable tracks? w/o a doubt, but I can ride with this joint.

@ Deen

on point w/the 14 track assessment and the rubbish rmx lol

04.07.09 at 1:11 pm

TC

Co-sign Cell Thuropy

He shoulda squeezed “Kiss My Ass” & “Who Run This” on there and trashed that weedcarrier remix.
====================================================

“Hard Times” didn’t solve anything by being left off either. At least that joint was about something.

This coming from the man who introduced us to the “Stanky Legg” & “Hallie Berry” lol.

Something about that shit gets me hype though!

04.07.09 at 1:19 pm

E. Brock A.K.A. Afro-Bot (Google It!)

I still say Styles over Jada. Been saying it for years now.

The album is ehhh, 3 cigs is about right, could’ve went lower, but ok.

It’s bad when a song off your mixtape is better than most on your album.

The People feat. Styles P >>>>>>

04.07.09 at 1:19 pm

Since_1979

This album had no buzz what so ever! I honestly forgot about it until I logged on today. He can do better than this….he actually has on mixtapes!

04.07.09 at 1:19 pm

Douglas Howser

With very few exceptions this album is straight arse. Thank God for the Internet because I would’ve been dumb enough to buy this otherwise.

The Lox must still owe Puff money when they release group projects because there is no other excuse for them to keep releasing these solo projects that are well below average when their last group effort was such crack.

I’m disappointed.

*Points finger at the Lox*

You guys should be ashamed of yourselves for trying to chase your fans away.

04.07.09 at 1:30 pm

David D.

ROFL!

This coming from the man who introduced us to the “Stanky Legg” & “Hallie Berry” lol.

Yea, there’s some ignorant joy from those songs. “Who’s Real” is just grating and annoying. It’s noise. You heard “Death Of Adam?” (I know you did)…the chorus sounds like when the narrator was talking about dude giving his dick a pep talk (“get ready let’s go…”)

And I like to compartmentalize my ignorance. OJ got a special place in my Ipod. I don’t like when actual good artists try to blur those lines. That song is on the early list of worst of the year.

04.07.09 at 1:37 pm

Douglas Howser

That song is on the early list of worst of the year.
=======================================
That song got thrown overboard tied to to anchors and an anvil.

04.07.09 at 1:38 pm

OED aka Shoe T'quille

Funny how so many folks can overlook the perverted romper room foolishness of most eminem tracks designed transparently for radio n’ video spins and say he’s crafted MULTIPLE classics, but shit on this dude for not going that route, but incorporating a Mary J Blige or Jazmine Sullivan, however much I may dislike those songs.

04.07.09 at 1:41 pm

sherm

We Are The Streets is better than any solo album any of the LOX members have put out, to date (I’d venture to say it’s a “classic”)…let’s get going on that third LOX album already

04.07.09 at 1:49 pm

MZ

@ Amp I was refering to Jada being the most consistent lyrically.

04.07.09 at 1:51 pm

Myke_Wayne

I like it. This is my favorite Kiss album. Been on repeat all weekend

04.07.09 at 1:57 pm

500K Flea

@ OED: Real talk, watch the same dudes who shit on the Jada album run to the record store like little fanboys and buy the latest & greatest from Eminem. Fuck outta here. AHAAA!!! (Jadakis laugh)

04.07.09 at 1:58 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a. AG Da Gooseman

Yea, there’s some ignorant joy from those songs. “Who’s Real” is just grating and annoying. It’s noise.
===========================
I can’t agree with that. There’s more lyrical depth in four Jada bars then both of those dance songs put together.

04.07.09 at 2:04 pm

Contra™

@OED:
guest heavy, and yes, some collabos work while some just do not…but when has the # of guests had a quantitative cut off?
____________________

Well, on a solo album, generally, you may want more of the artist and less of the features; unless it’s a compilation, or a themed album(theater of the mind, dynasty…) It’s really not mathematics, but it’s just I’m buying a Jada album for Jada; not the extras. The extras make, and sell this LP.

___________________
the album is w/o an overall theme, but how many better rated lp’s (Bow Wow, Flo-Rida?) have that.
Seems like homeboy’s being penalized for being good, but not dropping a Reasonable Doubt or sumn…
______________

Jada;s a vet, a pioneer in his own words. Bow and Flo are unskilled labor. Is he being penalized for being good…no. He should. Frankly, I’d give this project a 2.5 or less if I was taking into account the fact that this dude is supposed to be the next up for the throne. But crew deliberated, and consensus was reached. this is just honestly a pretty terrible effort.
———————————–
Funny how so many folks can overlook the perverted romper room foolishness of most eminem tracks designed transparently for radio n’ video spins and say he’s crafted MULTIPLE classics, but shit on this dude for not going that route, but incorporating a Mary J Blige or Jazmine Sullivan, however much I may dislike those songs.
________________
Em has been in the game about as long as Jada, so this is a fair comparison. As far as tailoring for radio, they are both criminals. In fact, I’d go as far as saying Em’s goofiness is not as prostitutional as Jada picking all the artists on Billboard’s top 20 and throwing them on an album. Factor in that Em holds 80+% of his albums content down solo, and still managed to put out more material than Jada….consistently. Even with a 5 year hiatus. Jada lacks quality control, and just lacks enough showmanship for him to be taken seriously. The majority of his discography has the word “Featuring” in it…

I’m a huge Jada fan, and personally not too big on Em. this was hands down the album I was looking forward to the most this year. even when i saw the tracklist. even after reading the first reviews….

But not after listening to it…

04.07.09 at 2:10 pm

Since_1979

@AmpGeez
But how much depth is there really in a Kiss rhyme? Outside of “Why?”, he hasn’t said anything insightful. He’s in the same boat as OJ Da Juiceman content wise.

04.07.09 at 2:13 pm

Baby Paw

If he were to streamline his album efforts to 10-12 solid cuts, he would shine, but not his fault the corporate hogs want him to overweight it with filler.

04.07.09 at 2:18 pm

El Rosado

This album is pure diaper content.

04.07.09 at 2:19 pm

Baby Paw

@El Rosado, hee hee hee!

Is this the part where he signs to KOCH?

04.07.09 at 2:21 pm

The Disgruntled Cooler Fan

This album is lukewarm at best.

When hype doesn’t meet expectations… Fail

04.07.09 at 2:49 pm

Gotty™

I wouldn’t say that, cause neither Sheek nor Styles has done as well commercially as Kiss.
===========
I really don’t focus on sales.

Putting together a cohesive album, Lox brethren > Kiss.

04.07.09 at 2:49 pm

Teef

I ain’t even hear this album yet…I may not have to now. Thanks guys!

04.07.09 at 2:55 pm

sherm

hahaha…this dude kicks a little kid and gets knocked the fugg out:

04.07.09 at 2:57 pm

Douglas Howser

We Are The Streets is better than any solo album any of the LOX members have put out, to date (I’d venture to say it’s a “classic”)…let’s get going on that third LOX album already
======================================
Word.

I ain’t even hear this album yet…I may not have to now. Thanks guys!
======================================
Give it a listen for yourself… to each his own opinion. I don’t like it, but only because I expect more from all three members of the Lox.

04.07.09 at 2:59 pm

Baby Paw

Styles P has released 3 relatively solid solo albums, that is unlike Sheek Louch and Jadakiss.

04.07.09 at 3:03 pm

S'Jah

verse Kiss > album Kiss

04.07.09 at 3:05 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a. AG Da Gooseman

I think Kiss has been the most consistent album wise too. Styles has made a stinker (“Super Gangster, Extraordinary Gentleman”) & as consistent as Sheek may be with his solo’s, lyrically, he’s just not on the same level as Jada or Styles.

04.07.09 at 3:14 pm

Pacman24

i liked the album alot – after having the whole weekend to listen to it i will still b buying it – i think he released a lyrically decent album with the state the game is in u have to put some radio friendly songs on there an the only one that was total trash was the neyo one in my opinion yes i kno we keep expecting a classic outta him but other then that we cant sit here an act like this a skip over album cus its not – its actually one of the best albums we have gotten all year from a hip hop artist – it has its fair share of hot tracks – 13/18 tracks but no where near a flop from jada

04.07.09 at 4:24 pm

OED

Good shit on all counts, Contra…

I would agree w/ the collabo count as well… Not sure if I was just being a devil’s advocate of sorts or what, but I guess I wanted to know if the review (and some of the subsequent comments) was taking the “expectation” of what Jada COULD put out and factoring that in with the actual output of what WAS… Personally, what I wanted and expected to hear were two different things going into it. I WANTED to hear Jada RIP SHIT, but knowing the limitations of his flow *pause lol*, and the laid back nature of his persona, I only truly expected him to kinda play it safe, twist shit around and “wrassle” with it a bit…which he did on more than a few tracks.

04.07.09 at 4:41 pm

Duncan

The hate seems a little strong. This is far from a great album, but not nearly as bad as y’all make it seem.
Kiss laugh> A lotta rappers careers.

04.07.09 at 4:47 pm

AmpGeez a.k.a. AG Da Gooseman

It’s cause the expectations are so high for Kiss, compared tho the rest of The Lox.

04.07.09 at 5:48 pm

woodywood

The problem with Kiss is that he can’t decide what’s more important… Cake or street credit. Kiss is without a doubt one of the illest in the game but he just can’t make his mind up when it comes to his albums. To this day I will never understand how anyone can make the claim that Styles is nicer than Kiss. As far as albums go I would rather hear a Sheek album but a Jada mixtape. But I can agree with the majority, sometimes things just work out better when you’re together.

04.07.09 at 6:13 pm

Mally

You know what I think…I am not coming at anybody in particular at all but lets just be real when we give these reviews…Jada is/was one of my favorite rappers and The Last Kiss was straight wack!

3 cigs is being nice and unreal…I met him for the first time last December 2008 in the lobby of the Hilton in Hartford, CT. When I asked him when is album coming he said real raspily “February, good looking out…”

I was pumped, really pumped and thought he was gonna come hard and just kick lines that were crazy nice…

I think I only liked two songs fa real fa real…his singles weren’t even memorable AT ALL…the only two tracks that are worth listening to were the joint with Nas and the shit with GFK & Rae…

From what you talked about in the review..it sounds like anybody else woulda got a damn one or two…but i guess since he’s signed and has a name you can’t give him a true…Wack lyrics, beats, features “concepts” equals a bad album…comparing to what Jada has done in the past this is his worst album and isn’t average…it’s fucking bad and everybody else knows it is…Nobody wants to hear about Coke, terminator Guns and being in the hood, or even hear you spit with Young JEEZY…

What would Fat Tony say about this album…Getdafuckawwda hea!!

Anotha Time,

Mally

04.07.09 at 6:22 pm

TC

^^^

Well…umm..err…dude…there you have it!

04.07.09 at 8:50 pm

OhExtraMoney

We’re all allowed opinions and I understand that’s the whole point of the blog world..but damnit if you guys aren’t holding Jadakiss to an extra high standard considering some of the internet darlings with garbage music that I took a chance on downloading and listening too on this site and others like it. Is The Last Kiss a five star classic? No. I actually think he left some of his better joints on his mixtape. But it can damn sure bump in this era of DIY, should be fans, five mixtapes no one’s heard or cares about, just add water and microwave ass “emcees” heads are pushing.

04.07.09 at 8:54 pm

OhExtraMoney

and oh yeah….Jada and Styles went IN on One More Step. Styles definitely added more weight to this album than Lil Wayne with that recyled oops i meant this and that ish on Deathwish. Shout to whoever flung that at the end of the album like a bad mixtape song.

04.07.09 at 9:17 pm

B.Payton

fair rating. Love Jasmines voice on smoking gun. Jadas flow even at 3 cigs is better than most of the rap game. Dope review. Well put

04.07.09 at 10:45 pm

K. Strick a.k.a. Pacino

the LOX haven’t been the same w/out j-hood.
he was the glue that held them together.

anyway… back to reality.
i wanna hear this album for myself & judge, although contra’s word is platinum to me. the man knows his music.

somebody said, “who wants to hear about coke, terminator guns & bein in the hood?” sheeeeiiiiit…. I DO! and bunch o’ other niggaz just like me.

If you think about it the mixtape game has really fucked up real hip-hop and people’s career for the most part. Especially rappers like Kiss. But for some reason they have hard times putting out albums on a consistent basis. I don’t know if it the rappers fault or the labels fault or a combo of both. But i don’t know how many times i’ve heard some classic tracks or verses on a mixtape and after thinking about it. I’m like damn if you put those 5-10 hot tracks and/or verses together for an album you would have a classic or atleast close to one. Then you have the early tracks that leak on mixtapes that get used for soooooo many different mixtaoes that eventually the rappers scrap them from there albums and that happens TOO MUCH. Can’t Stop Me is easily THE SICKEST track on the album but i skip it now cuz i heard the damn thing over 100’s times in the last couple months. Now imagine just hearing that when you purchase the cd or watever? it has a greater effect on the listener. Shit truly sucks man cuz the rap game is SOOOOOOOOO fucked right now it;s crazy. All i can do is get the old hot/classic albums i aint never hear or find new upcoming artist that are hungry. A la Blu, little brother, etc. And atleast i have my GOTO rappers who i know NO MATTER WHAT will give me hot albums and yet still be overlooked like Ghostface, AZ & Nas. There has not been any rappers as consistent as them dudes yet they overlooked A LOT

04.08.09 at 4:31 am

K1NG

^^^

Well…umm..err…dude…there you have it!

—

Nice reference…lol

04.09.09 at 2:25 am

Wil

What the hell is wrong with you people on this blog. You guys have no idea what real HIP HOP is. If you can’t respect Jada go listen to that horrible shit out there. I will ride with JADA, Top 5 Dead or Alive. I haven’t heard the whole album just about 5 track and those are better than anything that’s come out in the last 4 years. You tell me what’s better.

04.10.09 at 3:58 am

mikavelli the don

Ok so I see how cats feel n I disagree completely…this album is dope…a couple of tracks that are uneccessary but many gems on this joint…the joint wit gfk n rae is crazy..the joint wit the luther sample is crazy…the one wit bobby valentino is cool…n the best track on the album TO ME is what if wit nas…this is a good album period

04.12.09 at 9:03 am

DjayCas

3 cigs IS being nice and unreal.

you gave this guy a harsher beat down than you did mims
but some how this is a few puffs better?

is 3 some kind of free mason shit for TSS to keep me hypnotized into checking the site?